JOSE BORBON
He wears a medium shade of brown skin, dark eyes and long arms. He’s tall and lanky, standing well over six feet-something as a 17-year-old teenager. He used to be known as “Bushy Brows,” laughing his way across the courts and making polite gestures and greetings to strangers and friends alike. At first glance, he seems like the friendly neighborhood teen, playing handball just to pass time and entertain himself. But, like many of his fellow handball players, he plays to win.
Jose “J-sanity” Borbon was not always this way. In fact, he hated handball at first. He had absolutely no confidence or faith in himself that he would ever be able to achieve anything at all. “Handball was a very hard sport to play,” he said. “I didn’t think I had what it took to play it.”
Borbon began handball as a 14-year-old bystander, always standing on the sideline watching in awe of legends in the making, such as William Polanco. “Despite the fact that he is injured, he never gives up playing Handball and it will always be a part of him no matter what,” Borbon said.
USHA Northeast Regional Director William Polanco has always been a pioneer for handball. In the recent years, he and the rest of the committee has worked to make handball an official game of the Olympics. He has travelled to Ecuador, Italy, France and Belgium to promote the sport.
Although Polanco graduated from Fort Hamilton High School, he often times gives assistance to other juniors, such as Borbon and his team.
"Polanco was the only open player that I have ever seen come to our teams home courts and actually work with our team," Borbon said.
Borbon strives to achieve the same level of skill and aptitude as Bastidas. During Borbon’s sophomore year at Hillcrest High School, he joined the boy’s varsity handball team in hopes of meeting new competition and talent. He began as a substitute, always being discouraged from playing by the starters.
“The people on my team would try to put me down by telling me that I won’t ever be a good handball player,” Borbon said.
However, their words of condemnation only fueled Borbon’s drive to improve. “Ever since they told me that, I worked hard to show them that I would get better,” he said. “My work eventually paid off in my junior year when I was put as 2nd singles.”
Handball has given Borbon the opportunity to learn the true value of practice. In 2011, Borbon was awarded with the Most Valuable Player award of the year. He also won first place in the New York State Hall of Fame Tournament in 2012.
“If you put time into it you could see all the possibilities the game really has to offer,” he said.
He added: "I couldn't have done the things I did if it wasn't for my team. I seriously owe it to all those guys"
Jose “J-sanity” Borbon was not always this way. In fact, he hated handball at first. He had absolutely no confidence or faith in himself that he would ever be able to achieve anything at all. “Handball was a very hard sport to play,” he said. “I didn’t think I had what it took to play it.”
Borbon began handball as a 14-year-old bystander, always standing on the sideline watching in awe of legends in the making, such as William Polanco. “Despite the fact that he is injured, he never gives up playing Handball and it will always be a part of him no matter what,” Borbon said.
USHA Northeast Regional Director William Polanco has always been a pioneer for handball. In the recent years, he and the rest of the committee has worked to make handball an official game of the Olympics. He has travelled to Ecuador, Italy, France and Belgium to promote the sport.
Although Polanco graduated from Fort Hamilton High School, he often times gives assistance to other juniors, such as Borbon and his team.
"Polanco was the only open player that I have ever seen come to our teams home courts and actually work with our team," Borbon said.
Borbon strives to achieve the same level of skill and aptitude as Bastidas. During Borbon’s sophomore year at Hillcrest High School, he joined the boy’s varsity handball team in hopes of meeting new competition and talent. He began as a substitute, always being discouraged from playing by the starters.
“The people on my team would try to put me down by telling me that I won’t ever be a good handball player,” Borbon said.
However, their words of condemnation only fueled Borbon’s drive to improve. “Ever since they told me that, I worked hard to show them that I would get better,” he said. “My work eventually paid off in my junior year when I was put as 2nd singles.”
Handball has given Borbon the opportunity to learn the true value of practice. In 2011, Borbon was awarded with the Most Valuable Player award of the year. He also won first place in the New York State Hall of Fame Tournament in 2012.
“If you put time into it you could see all the possibilities the game really has to offer,” he said.
He added: "I couldn't have done the things I did if it wasn't for my team. I seriously owe it to all those guys"
